-(으)ㄴ/는데

The form -(으)ㄴ/는데 is a form that has multiple uses. First, you can use it to express the contrast between two clauses in a sentence. But, you can also use the form to give a reason for or background information on the second clause of the sentence. It is a pretty nifty form, -(으)ㄴ/는데. Furthermore, it is part of more advanced grammar forms like -(으)ㄹ 텐데. So understanding the meaning of this form will help you later understand more complex forms.

Contrast

The first use of -(으)ㄴ/는데 is when there is a contrast between the first and the second part of the sentence. In this regard, it is similar to the basic contrast form -지만. However, -지만 and -(으)ㄴ/는데 are used differently and depending on the situation one is chosen over the other. Sentences where there is an expectation, but the contrary (unexpectedly) is true, are sentences that use -(으)ㄴ/는데. Sometimes what is expected, is said outright, though other times it is more implicit.

An example:

가: 웨 그 슈퍼마켓에 안 가요?

나: 가격은 싼데 너무 멀어요.

A: Why don’t you go to that supermarket?

B: The prices are cheap, but it is too far.

Additional Information

Another use for -(으)ㄴ/는데 is to give a reason or background information for what follows in the second part of the sentence. This is a great way to let people really know why you are asking for something instead of just asking it. In this way, allows you to be so much clearer in Korean. Clarity during conversations in, as you know, very important.

An example:

가: 웨 그 슈퍼마켓에 안 가요?

나: 가격은 싼데 너무 멀어요.

A: Why don’t you go to that supermarket?

B: The prices are cheap, but it is too far.

How To Use

The conjugation of the form -(으)ㄴ/는데 is far more involved than for its brother -지만. However, you needn’t worry since if you have mastered the basics, it will not be overly complicated. The basics for this conjugation is the ‘batchim/no batchim’ rule you are very familiar with. The only thing you need to keep in mind is when you need the past, you need to add the past tense markers, -았/었-, and those follow the ‘last vowel’ rule. In both cases, you’ll have to keep an eye on the Korean irregular verbs like the ㅂ irregular verbs and the ㄷ irregular verbs.

Lastly do not forget that for adjectives with 있다 and 없다, like 맛있다, the present tense is like those of verbs, -는데, not -은데 which you might have expected.